Scammers pose as officials in new fraud

The PSNI said a man claiming to be a Government official recently contacted a local woman, telling her she was entitled to a refund, but to receive it she had to first pay a large sum of money to persons abroad via an international money transfer service at the Post Office.

Sgt Colin Skinner said: “Members of the public are reminded never to give out personal details over the phone to unsolicited callers.

“If you are unsure of a caller, or feel that something is not right, then ask for details to ascertain their identity. Ask where they are phoning from, where they have got your details from and where they have obtained your telephone number.

“Also, ask them if there is a number you can phone them back on or if there is another representative from their company that you can contact.

“If you are still unsure about them, then contact the company or business to check if the call is genuine. Legitimate companies won’t have a problem with you calling them back”

Sgt Skinner added: “Remember: if an unknown caller contacts you to offer you money for nothing and it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Anyone who believes they may have been victim of this type of scam, or has any concerns, should contact Police on 0845 600 8000.

Details should also be passed on to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ or http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud.